CVE-2026-24686: go-tuf Path Traversal in TAP 4 Multirepo Client Allows Arbitrary File Write via Malicious Repository Names

Vulnerability summary

CVE-2026-24686 is a medium (CVSS 4.7) vulnerability in theupdateframework go-tuf. EPSS estimates a 0.23% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 14% of scored vulnerabilities. 1 public exploit is recorded.

Timeline

1. 27-01-2026
   PublishedVulnerability first disclosed.
2. 27-01-2026
   Last modifiedVulnerability information updated.

Description

go-tuf is a Go implementation of The Update Framework (TUF). go-tuf's TAP 4 Multirepo Client uses the map file repository name string (`repoName`) as a filesystem path component when selecting the local metadata cache directory. Starting in version 2.0.0 and prior to version 2.4.1, if an application accepts a map file from an untrusted source, an attacker can supply a `repoName` containing traversal (e.g., `../escaped-repo`) and cause go-tuf to create directories and write the root metadata file outside the intended `LocalMetadataDir` cache base, within the running process's filesystem permissions. Version 2.4.1 contains a patch.

• CWE-22Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted DirectoryThe product uses external input to construct a pathname that is intended to identify a file or directory that is located underneath a restricted parent directory, but the product does not properly neutralize special elements within the pathname that can cause the pathname to resolve to a location that is outside of the restricted directory.